Guest guest Posted January 13, 2003 Report Share Posted January 13, 2003 Do you know of any condition where vitamin B makes you feel sick? (not talking about niacin flushing) Since I take B12 shots, I try to take B100 (combination of all the B's) because I heard it was good to balance them. But they make me sick. My mom says she can't take B vitamins and her dad couldn't either. She has crazy ideas sometimes though that aren't really true! Does anybody else out there have problems with B vitamins? Thanks, Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2003 Report Share Posted January 14, 2003 Doris, That's a new one on me. Too much vitamin B6 over too long a time can make your fingers go numb (reversibly), and niacin produces the flush, but beyond those, I haven't heard of problems with high doses of B vitamins. They're water soluble, and the excess tends to go out in the urine. Rich > Do you know of any condition where vitamin B makes you feel sick? (not > talking about niacin flushing) > > Since I take B12 shots, I try to take B100 (combination of all the B's) > because I heard it was good to balance them. But they make me sick. My mom > says she can't take B vitamins and her dad couldn't either. She has crazy > ideas sometimes though that aren't really true! > > Does anybody else out there have problems with B vitamins? > Thanks, > Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2003 Report Share Posted January 14, 2003 Rich, The worst problem is with B2, where doses of up to 10 mg daily have been found to be helpful in resisting cataracts but doses in excess of this can cause cataracts and also photosensitivity. (There are apparently subtle differences in types of cataracts.) These problems have been known for a few years now, so manufacturers of B100s know the risks they are exposing customers to and seemingly don't care. As you know, I believe that many PWCs are worsening their problems by excessive doses of supplements. I think the problem is really one of cultural beliefs. In the USA in particular, folks are brought up to believe that bigger is better, that you can't have too much of a good thing and that if you run into problems there will be a technical fix. These beliefs create the conditions of pollution and stress that are causative factors in the development of these conditions and then prevent people from getting well again. By definition, it isn't a popular thing to challenge popular beliefs but I guess someone has to do it. Rob Gener Re: Too much vitamin B? Doris, That's a new one on me. Too much vitamin B6 over too long a time can make your fingers go numb (reversibly), and niacin produces the flush, but beyond those, I haven't heard of problems with high doses of B vitamins. They're water soluble, and the excess tends to go out in the urine. Rich > Do you know of any condition where vitamin B makes you feel sick? (not > talking about niacin flushing) > > Since I take B12 shots, I try to take B100 (combination of all the B's) > because I heard it was good to balance them. But they make me sick. My mom > says she can't take B vitamins and her dad couldn't either. She has crazy > ideas sometimes though that aren't really true! > > Does anybody else out there have problems with B vitamins? > Thanks, > Doris This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2003 Report Share Posted January 14, 2003 Rob, This is news to me. I haven't heard of problems with high doses of riboflavin, other than very fluorescent yellow urine! The PDR for Nutritional Supplements (2001) says " There are no reports of riboflavin overdosage in the literature. " It also reports that " Doses of 400 milligrams daily for four months were found to cause diarrhea and polyuria in two out of 28 subjects who participated in a migraine prophylaxis study. " The Institute of Medicine 1998 DRI report says " No adverse effects associated with riboflavin consumption from food or supplements have been reported. " Do you have a reference for the cataract and photosensitivity data? In my book chapter, I have specified a range of 10 to 50 mg per day, based on the sources I had available when I wrote it. I'd be interested to know if there are data showing that this range is too high. From a philosophical point of view, I agree that there's no point in giving the body a lot more than it has been shown to be able to use productively. We probably don't know all the effects of very high doses of nutrients, and as Paracelsus supposedly said, everything is toxic in high enough dosages. Your comments on U.S. culture do seem to contain a certain amount of truth, although I would say that the old " bigger is better " thinking has been under more scrutiny in recent years, particularly since the rise of the environmental movement. Rich > > Do you know of any condition where vitamin B makes you feel sick? > (not > > talking about niacin flushing) > > > > Since I take B12 shots, I try to take B100 (combination of all the > B's) > > because I heard it was good to balance them. But they make me > sick. My mom > > says she can't take B vitamins and her dad couldn't either. She > has crazy > > ideas sometimes though that aren't really true! > > > > Does anybody else out there have problems with B vitamins? > > Thanks, > > Doris > > > This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each > other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment > discussed here, please consult your doctor. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2003 Report Share Posted January 14, 2003 Rich, Having finished a first draft of my response to the UK MRC document this morning, I am struggling with splitting eyestrain witha patch over one eye so I can't search the web for the papers. However, I have checked this out in the past (the study/ies might have been Chinese so hard to access cos of the characters) and I see that Murray gives the same warning in his Encyclopaedia of Nutritional Supplements 96 edn page 86. I seem to remember that signs of B2 overdose also include nausea and something else. In these matters, though, why not put the question the other way round and ask why anyone would want to take fifty times the RDA of anything without very good reasons and careful research. Rob Re: Too much vitamin B? Rob, This is news to me. I haven't heard of problems with high doses of riboflavin, other than very fluorescent yellow urine! The PDR for Nutritional Supplements (2001) says " There are no reports of riboflavin overdosage in the literature. " It also reports that " Doses of 400 milligrams daily for four months were found to cause diarrhea and polyuria in two out of 28 subjects who participated in a migraine prophylaxis study. " The Institute of Medicine 1998 DRI report says " No adverse effects associated with riboflavin consumption from food or supplements have been reported. " Do you have a reference for the cataract and photosensitivity data? In my book chapter, I have specified a range of 10 to 50 mg per day, based on the sources I had available when I wrote it. I'd be interested to know if there are data showing that this range is too high. From a philosophical point of view, I agree that there's no point in giving the body a lot more than it has been shown to be able to use productively. We probably don't know all the effects of very high doses of nutrients, and as Paracelsus supposedly said, everything is toxic in high enough dosages. Your comments on U.S. culture do seem to contain a certain amount of truth, although I would say that the old " bigger is better " thinking has been under more scrutiny in recent years, particularly since the rise of the environmental movement. Rich > > Do you know of any condition where vitamin B makes you feel sick? > (not > > talking about niacin flushing) > > > > Since I take B12 shots, I try to take B100 (combination of all the > B's) > > because I heard it was good to balance them. But they make me > sick. My mom > > says she can't take B vitamins and her dad couldn't either. She > has crazy > > ideas sometimes though that aren't really true! > > > > Does anybody else out there have problems with B vitamins? > > Thanks, > > Doris > > > This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each > other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment > discussed here, please consult your doctor. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2003 Report Share Posted January 14, 2003 Wow, here is another weird thing. My eye doctor just told me I had cataracts, and I am only 38. Do you know where I could find informaiton about the different types of cataracts and which can be caused by too much B2? Thanks, Doris ----- Original Message ----- From: " Napier " <robnapier@...> > The worst problem is with B2, where doses of up to 10 mg daily have been > found to be helpful in resisting cataracts but doses in excess of this can > cause cataracts and also photosensitivity. (There are apparently subtle > differences in types of cataracts.) These problems have been known for a > few years now, so manufacturers of B100s know the risks they are exposing > customers to and seemingly don't care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2003 Report Share Posted January 15, 2003 Doris, I'm very sorry to hear about this. I suggest a Google search using; " vitamin B2 " cataracts study I tried it briefly, but if I do much more given the state of my eyes, I'll be getting them myself, if you'll forgive that little bit of gallows humour. I did come up with this match Multivitamins do help!!! - www.ezboard.com .... And there are nutrients that can cause problems. Vitamin B2, riboflavin, can cause cataracts or retinal damage at doses over 10 milligrams (mg). ... pub26.ezboard.com/ finnerconnectionsfrm84.showMessage?topicID=726.topic - 22k - Cached - Similar pages but you need to be a member to get in to it. Then there was this. You'll see there's a paper cited. About This Site Registration FAQ Contact Us Privacy Terms of Use Site Awards You are here: Home > A to Z Herbs > Vitamin B2 Vitamin B2 Below: . Introduction . Requirements/Sources . Therapeutic Dosages . Therapeutic Uses . What Is the Scientific Evidence for Vitamin B2? . Safety Issues . Interactions You Should Know About . References Introduction Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is an essential nutrient required for life. This vitamin works with two enzymes critical to the body's production of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, its main energy source. Vitamin B2 is also used to process amino acids and fats, and to activate vitamin B6 and folate. Preliminary evidence suggests that riboflavin supplements may offer benefits for two illnesses: migraine headaches and cataracts. Requirements/Sources The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance for riboflavin is as follows a.. Infants under 6 months, 0.4 mg 6 to 12 months, 0.5 mg a.. Children 1 to 3 years, 0.8 mg 4 to 6 years, 1.1 mg 7 to 10 years, 1.2 mg a.. Males 11 to 14 years, 1.5 mg 15 to 18 years, 1.8 mg 19 to 50 years, 1.7 mg 51 years and older, 1.4 mg a.. Females, 11 to 50 years, 1.3 mg 51 years and older, 1.2 mg a.. Pregnant women, 1.6 mg a.. Nursing women, 1.7 to 1.8 mg Riboflavin is found in organ meats (such as liver, kidney, and heart) and in many vegetables, nuts, legumes, and leafy greens. The richest sources are torula (nutritional) yeast, brewer's yeast, and calf liver. Almonds, wheat germ, wild rice, and mushrooms are good sources as well. Although serious riboflavin deficiencies are rare, slightly low levels can occur in children, the elderly, and those in poverty.1-4 Therapeutic Dosages For migraine headaches, the typical recommended dosage of riboflavin is much higher than nutritional needs: 400 mg daily. For cataract prevention, riboflavin may be taken at the nutritional dosages described. Since the B vitamins tend to work together, many nutritional experts recommend taking B2 with other B vitamins, perhaps in the form of a B-complex supplement. Therapeutic Uses There are no well-documented uses of riboflavin. However, preliminary evidence suggests that riboflavin supplements taken at high dosages may reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.5 One very large study suggests that riboflavin at nutritional doses may be helpful for cataracts, but in this study it was combined with another B vitamin, niacin or vitamin B3, so it's hard to say which vitamin was responsible for the effect.6 Riboflavin has also been proposed as a treatment for sickle-cell anemia7 and as a performance enhancer for athletes, but there is no real evidence that it is effective for these uses. What Is the Scientific Evidence for Vitamin B2? Migraine Headaches According to a 3-month double-blind placebo-controlled study of 55 people with migraines, riboflavin can significantly reduce the frequency and duration of migraine attacks.8 This study found that, when given at least 2 months to work, a daily dose of riboflavin (400 mg) can produce dramatic migraine relief. The majority of the participants experienced a greater than 50% decrease in the number of migraine attacks as well as the total days with headache pain. A larger and longer study is needed to follow up on these results. Cataracts Riboflavin supplements may help prevent cataracts, but the evidence isn't yet clear. In a large, double-blind placebo-controlled study, 3,249 people were given either placebo or one of four nutrient combinations (vitamin A/zinc, riboflavin/niacin, vitamin C/molybdenum, or selenium/beta-carotene/ vitamin E) for a period of 6 years.9 Those receiving the niacin/riboflavin supplement showed a significant (44%) reduction in the incidence of cataracts. Strangely, there was a small, but statistically significantly higher incidence of a special type of cataract (called a subcapsular cataract) in the niacin/riboflavin group. However, it is unclear whether the effects seen in this group were due to niacin, riboflavin, or the combination of the two. Safety Issues Riboflavin seems to be an extremely safe supplement. Interactions You Should Know About If you are taking oral contraceptives, you may need extra riboflavin. References 1. Powers H and Thronham D. (No title.) Br J Nutr 46: 257, 1981. 2. Elsborg L, et al. The intake of vitamins and minerals by the elderly at home. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 53: 321-329, 1983. 3. R, et al. Riboflavin deficiency in an adolescent population in New York City. Am J Clin Nutr 33: 1283-1286, 1980. 4. Southon S, et al. Micronutrient undernutrition in British schoolchildren. Pro Nutr Soc 52: 155-163, 1993. 5. Schoenen J, Jacquy J, and Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial. Neurology 50: 466-470, 1998. 6. Sperduto RD, Hu TS, Milton RC, et al. The Linxian cataract studies. Two nutrition intervention trials. Arch Ophthalmol 111: 1246-1253, 1993. 7. Ajayi OA, BO, and Ipadeola T. Clinical trial of riboflavin in sickle-cell disease. East Afr Med J 70: 418-421, 1993. 8. Schoenen J, Jacquy J, and Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial. Neurology 50: 466-470, 1998. 9. Sperduto RD, Hu TS, Milton RC, et al. The Linxian cataract studies. Two nutrition intervention trials. Arch Ophthalmol 111: 1246-1253, 1993. First published May 12, 2000 or find more on: Back to top of page -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Home | Medical Library | Cool Tools | Fitness & Nutrition | Women's Health Men's Health | Pregnancy & Baby | Children's Health | Alternative Health | Lifestyle & Wellness Ills & Conditions | Senior Health | Work & Health | Self-Care Centers About Principal Health News | Editorial Guidelines | Registration | FAQ | Contact Us | Privacy Copyright© 2002 The Principal Financial Group (The Principal®). Terms of Use. We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation Re: Re: Too much vitamin B? Wow, here is another weird thing. My eye doctor just told me I had cataracts, and I am only 38. Do you know where I could find informaiton about the different types of cataracts and which can be caused by too much B2? Thanks, Doris ----- Original Message ----- From: " Napier " <robnapier@...> > The worst problem is with B2, where doses of up to 10 mg daily have been > found to be helpful in resisting cataracts but doses in excess of this can > cause cataracts and also photosensitivity. (There are apparently subtle > differences in types of cataracts.) These problems have been known for a > few years now, so manufacturers of B100s know the risks they are exposing > customers to and seemingly don't care. This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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